Adjustable chair



Nov. 27, 1962 H. H. MQHLER 3,065,989

ADJUSTABLE CHAIR Filed Aug. 18, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 80 /c-/G- 7 l JNVENTOR. HARVEY Maf/ER Nov. 27, 1962 H. H. Mol-[LER 3,065,989

ADJUSTABLE CHAIR Filed Aug. 18, 1958 JNVENTOR. HAR vEY /71 /VoHL ER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Parent @faire 8,655,989 Patented Nov. 27, 1%32 3,065,989 ADJUSTABLE CHAIR Harvey H. Mohler, 5647 N. Rosemead Blvd., vTemple City, Calif. Filed Aug. 18, 1958, Ser. No. 755,471 9 Claims. (Cl. 297-88) This invention relates generally to an article of furniture, and more particularly to a chair of the tilt back reclining type.

it is customary to provide chairs of the tilt type with mechanism which permits adjustment of chair members relative to a tixed base. 'In some of these structures the back rest portion may be caused to be slanted backwardly to a semi-reclining position relative to the seat and arms, after the fashion of the familiar Morris chair. In still others the seat is adjustable along with the back rest portion, relative to the base and the arms which are tiXed to the base. Other chairs are known in which the front panel of the chair, which depends from the seat, is caused to move angularly outward from its vertical position upon adjustment of the back to a semireclining position.

A characteristic of all such known chairs is the Xed relationship between the base and the arms of the chair. Thus, the arms remain stationary with their top surfaces in a substantially horizontal position for al1 positions of the other chair members. Generally, the reason for this is that the arms are necessarily stationaryin order to form a housing for links, levers, and other elements required in the adjustability of the chair.

It is a distinct characteristic of the chair of the present invention that the mechanism necessary for the adjustability of the chair is disposed substantially below the seat member, and as a consequence the arms are displaceable with the seat upon adjustment of the same.

Arising out of the above mentioned characteristic is the adaptability of the adjustment mechanism to use in available chair frames. The .embodiment illustrated and described herein was, for example, fabricated from a commercially available chair frame and base with minor modilications.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of a leg rest for the calves of the legs when the Vchair is reclined. To this end, the mechanism causes the front panel of the chair to move angularly outward from its normally vertical position when the seat andback rest members are adjusted to the reclining position. Simultaneously the panel moves upwardly with the front edge of the seat member. The front panel movement is such that it occurs about a virtual hinge line where the planes of the seat and panel intersect. This particular movement is to be distinguished from that of known chairs where the front panel is caused to be moved independently of the seat and in such fashion, as by the lazy tongs action for example, as to cause a gap between the adjacent edges of the panel and seat surfaces.

Such a gap is not to be desired, since upon return of that type of chair from reclining to normal position, there i s a closing of the gap which catches the clothing of the chairs occupant.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a chair which is adiustable between normal sitting and reclining positions wherein the arms, seat, and back rest members move as a unit. It is a furtherobject to provide a chair with a front panel having an upper edge adjacent the seat member, the movement of the chair to reclining position causing the panel to be angled outwardly about a virtual hinge line formed byithe intersection of the planes of the front surface of the panel and the surface of the seat.

It is a still further object to provide a chair of the type wherein substantially all of the linkage and actuating mechanism is coniined below the framing elements for the seat.

It is still another object to provide a mechanism adapted to be installed in available chair frames and bases with a minimum of alteration of the same, thereby contributing low cost and simple fabrication techniques to the advantages of invention arising out of the relationship of the members in the chair reclining position.

It is a particular object to provide a chair having integral arm, seat, and back rest members pivotally mounted on a base member, link means between the seat and front panel members and between the base and front panel members being provided along with an action integrating link means for actuation of the panel member.

It is another object to provide mechanism of the type mentioned first above whose components are easily fabricated from available low cost materials and readily assembled by unskilled labor.

It is a specic object to provide mechanism for a chair comprising first and second brackets to be attached to the chair frame and base, respectively, with iirst and second link means, one of the link means being coupled pivo-tally between the first bracket and a first pivotal connection with the panel and the other of the link means coupled pivotally between the second bracket and a second pivotal connection with the panel, there being provided further an action integrating link means between the rst and second link means.

Other and further objects will be apparent upon study of the description below in connection with the'accompanying drawings wherein a preferred embodiment is described and illustrated without intent to limit the invention thereto.

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a chair incorporating the invention, with the normal position shown in full line and the reclining position indicated by the dashed lines;

Y =FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the'chair shown in FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view in section, taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional side view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 2, showing the link mechanism positioned in the normal aspect of the chair;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 but showing the link mechanism positioned in the reclining aspect of the chair;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view similar to a portion of FIG. 5 but showing link parts partially hidden in FIG, 5;

FIG. 7 is an ideal section of a portion of the link mechanism, taken generally on the line 7-7 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 8 is another ideal section of another portion of the link mechanism, taken generally on the line 8 8 of FIG. 5.

Considering now the figures on the drawings, the chair 10 comprises major members designated as a back 12, seat 14, front panel 16, base 18, and arms 2i) and 22. Front legs 24 and 26 depend from the front stiles 28 and 30 of the arms 2.0 and 22, respectively. As stated above, the back, seat, and arms are comprised of a frame generally available on the open market, as is the base. Frames and bases of this type vary somewhat as between fabricators. However, the frame and base shown may be considered as typical.

The base 18 comprises a pair of elongated feet 32 and 34 held in spaced apart fixed relationship by joist members 36 and 38. The back 12 of the chair frame includes framing members at each side, as at 4t), spaced apart by a plurality of back slats 42 and 44. An arm 46 is secured to and extends from the back framing member 4t) to the stile 28. v

The seat 14 of the chair frame is comprised of side rails on each side, as at 48, spaced apart by a plurality of seat slats 5t), 52, and 54, together with a reinforcing member 56 at the front. A lower side panel 58 is secured to the edge of the side rail 48 and extends downwardly therefrom. 1t will be observed lthat the panel 58 has its front edge abutting the stile 28 and that the end of the upper portion of the reinforcing member 56 abuts the inner surface of the panel 58 and the stile 28. Rail 48, and a porof the lower edge of the reinforcing member 56 is cut out as shown at 60 in order to accommodate a portion of the linkage mechanism as will be set forth in detail below.

The foregoing description has been concerned with one side of the chair, but it is apparent that the other side will be comprised of the stile and of a framing member, arm, seat rail, and panel similar to those shown at 49, 46, 48, and 58, respectively. A further reinforcing member 62 joins the side panels and acts as a Stop member when the chair is tilted.

As thus far described, the chair comprises known and available structure for the upholsterer to practise his art.

Referring now to the base member 18, there is provided an angle iron lbase 64 secured to the foot 32 and the joists 36 and 38 by means of screws 65. A pair of base brackets are secured to either end of the base 64 by any preferred means. Base bracket 66 is shown as secured to the end member 68 of the base 64 by welding. It will be observed that the bracket 66 extends upwardly and forwardly from the base.

A pair of side brackets secured to the side panels of the chair are arranged for a pivotal connection with the base brackets. Side bracket 76 is shown as secured by means of bolts to the side panel 58. Bracket 76 is provided at one end with a U-shaped portion 74 having a bore therethrough arranged to accept a pintle shown as a bolt 76 which likewise extends through a bore adjacent the upper edge of the rear portion 78 of the base bracket 66 to form therewith the above mentioned pivotal connection between the chair frame and the base.

The front panel 16 of the chair l@ is provided with an angle bracket 80 and a pair of spaced apart angle brackets 82 and 84, all secured to the backing member 86 which extends from side to side of the panel 16. Link means 88 form a movable link connection Abetween front panel 16 and the chair bracket 70 while link means 90 form a movable link connection between the panel 16 and the base bracket 66.

Link means 88 comprises the bell crank link 92, the interconnect link 94, and the dog-leg shaped link 96. One end of the link 92 is pivotally secured to the outwardly extending portion 98 of the bracket 76, the other end being pivotally sectfred to one end of the link 94. The other end of the link 94 is pivotally secured to one end of the link 96, the other end of which is pivotally secured to the upper angle bracket 80, as by means of a bolt 100.

Link means 90 comprises the long link 102 and the connecting link 104, one end of the latter being pivotally secured intermediate the lower angle brackets 87. and 84, as by a bolt 106. The other end of link 104 is pivotally secured, as by a bolt 167, to one end of link 162, the opposite end of which is ixedly secured, as bv welding, to an actuating rod 188 which extends from side to side of the chair and is pivotally mounted in the base brackets adjacent the intermediate upper ends thereof. As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 6, the rod 168 extends through a bore in the portion 110 of the bracket 66 and is provided with a nut 112 threaded on the end thereof.

Means for integrating the action of the link means 88 and 90 comprise a further link means 114 including the coupling link 116, the U-shaped link 118, and the short link 120. One end of link 120 is tixedly secured to the actuating rod 168 and the other end is pivotally secured to one end of link 118. The other end of link 118 is pivotally secured to an intermediate portion of the long leg 122 of the L-shaped coupling link 116. The distal end of the leg 122 of link 116 is pivotally secured, as by a bolt 124, to the forward portion 126 of the base bracket 66. The short leg 128 of the coupling link 116 is provided at the distal end thereof with a pivotal connect-ron to the intermediate portion of the bell crank 92, the other end of leg 128 being pivotally secured to an intermediate portion of the dog-leg link 96.

It will be understood, of course, that base and cha1r frame brackets similar to those shown at 66 and 76, respectively, will be provided on the other side of the chair. Likewise, link means will be provided on the other side similar to those shown at 88 and 114. However, in the embodiment shown only one link means is necessary. It is desirable that a pair of each of the link means 88 and 114 be utilized in the particular form thereof shown since a small portion thereof extends above the slats of the chair seat when the chair is in its normal positlon,

as best understood from FIG. 4. It will be understood, of course, that a slightly different configuration of the' various links in the combinations would very likely re sult in the whole mechanism being contained below thev level of the seat slats. This is merely a matter of design' geometry which those skilled in the art will appreciate.-

Since, in the form shown, a small portion of the link means 88 and 114 extends above the level of the front slat 54, the cutout 60 as discussed hereinabove is provided. Also, FIG. 3 shows that a portion of the forward end of the base bracket 66 and of the coupling link 116 extends forward of the backing member 86 of the panel 16 intermediate the stile 28 and panel 16 when the chair is in the normal sitting position. Again, it is a mere matter of geometry of the particular embodiment shown, the design of the mechanism without such forwardly extending portions being well within the skill of the artisan.

It will be observed that the pivotal connection between the chair frame and base, by way of the bolt 76 in the brackets 66 and 70, is disposed quite rearwardly. This is consistent with the requirement that the chair be stable for normal occupancy in the sitting position. However, the pivotal connection is only slightly forward of the center of gravity of the combination of the chair frame and the person sitting therein. This is so in order that no great effort be required by the person sitting in the chair to move it to the reclining position. Normally, the average person sitting in the chair need only give a slight push with his toes against the lloor and with his back against the back of the chair in order to cause the chair to tilt back slightly until the center of gravity line passes through the pivotal connection, after which the chair and occupant continues to tilt back gently without further effort until the stop member 62 (which extends between the side panels) comes to rest against the rear edge of the angle iron base 64.

It is important to note that the chair in its normal position presents, to all appearances from the front and sides, substantially the usual upholstered chair. However, an important feature is that when the chair is moved to the reclining position, the front panel 16 which is normally disposed vertically moves outwardly and somewhat upwardly. By reason of the link action provided, the front panel moves in such fashion that the line of intersection 132 of the front surface of the panel and the upper surface of the seat constitutes a virtual hinge for the two members. Obviously, the upholstery covering of the panel could thereby be an extension of the seat covering, although this may or may not be the case according to choice.

The movement of the panel about the virtual hinge is accomplished in the following fashion: When the chair is moved from its normal sitting position, the side bracket 70 pivots relative to the base bracket 66, the front end of bracket 70 moving upwardly in a clockwise arc (as viewed in the figures) about the pivot bolt 76. This movement lifts the bell crank link 92, which in turn lifts the coupling link 116 causing it to pivot counterclockwise about its pivotal connection with the base bracket 66. The combined action of the coupling link 116 and the bell crank link 92 (via the interconnect link 94) on the dog-leg link 96 causes it to -move forwardly toward the front of the chair and at the same time to rotate clockwise about its pivotal connection with the coupling link 116.

The counterclockwise rotation of the coupling link about its pivotal connection with the base bracket causes the U-shaped link 118 to be pulled forwardly, which in turn pulls the short link 120 and causing it to rotate about the axis of the actuating rod S to which -it is secured. This causes the rod 108 to rotate clockwise, the rotation being imparted to the long link 102 which is secured to the rod. Link 102, in its clockwise rotation, imparts forward motion to the connecting link 104, hence the combined ultimate movement of links 96 and 104 results in the virtual hinge movement of the panel 16 to which the links 96 and 104 are pivotally secured.

It is thus seen that there has been provided a chair which meets all the objects stated hereinabove. In addition, it will be realized that while but a single embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it would be well within the skill of the artisan to devise other mechanisms for accomplishing the objective of the invention, and it is not the intent to circumscribe the invention by the the structure described and which is merely by way of illustration of one means of practising the inventive concept.

I claim:

l. An article of furniture including frame and base members and a movable front panel member normally disposed generally vertically and adjacent a normally horizontally disposed seat member portion of said frame member, comprising: means providing a pivotal connection between said base and frame members; first link means providing a link connection between said frame and panel members, said first link means including a plurality of links serially arranged between said members; second link means providing a link connection, between said base and panel members, said second link means including a plurality of links serially arranged between said members; and third link means including a plurality of links serially arranged and providing a link connection between said first and second link means, one of the links of said third link means having pivotal connections with each of two links included in one of said lirst and second link means for integrating the action between said first and second link means when said frame member is moved about its pivotal connection with said base member, said panel member thereby being caused to move angularly about a virtual hinge formed at the intersection line of the surface planes of said panel and seat members. Y

2. An article of furniture including frame and base members and a movable front panel member normally disposed generally vertically and adjacent a normally horizontally disposed seat member portion of said frame member, comprising: means providing a pivotal connection between said base and frame members; first link means providing a link connection between said frame and panel members, said first link means including a plurality of links serially arranged between said members; second link means providing a link connection between said base and panel members; and third link means including a plurality of links serially arranged and providing a link connection between said first and second link means, one of the links of said third link means having pivotal connections with each of two links included in said first link means for integrating the action between said first and second link means when said frame member is moved about its pivotal connection with said base member, said panel member thereby being caused to move angularly about a virtual hinge formed at the intersection line of the surface planes of said panel( and seat members;

3.v An article of furniture including frame and base members and a movable front panelf member normally disposed generally vertically and adjacent a normally horizontally disposed seat member portion of said frame member, comprising: means providing a pivotal connection between said base and frame members; first link means providing a link connection between said frame and panel members, said first link means including a plurality of links serially arranged between said members; second link means providing a link connection between said base and panel members; third link means including a plurality of links serially arranged and providing a link connection between said first and second link means, one of the links of said third link means having pivotal connections with each of two links included in said first link means; and means providing a pivotal connection between said base member and one of said links of said third link means for integrating the action between said first and second link means when said frame member is moved about its pivotal connection with said base member, said panel member thereby being caused to move angularly about a virtual hinge formed at the intersection line of the surface planes of said panel and seat members.

4. Mechanism for the cooperative movable relation ship between first, second, and third members, comprising: first bracket means securable to said first member; second bracket means securable to said second member; means providing a pivotal connection between said first and second bracket means; third bracket means securable to said third member; first link means having a pivotal connection at one end to said first bracket means and a pivotal connection at the other end to said third bracket means, said first link means including a plurality of serially arranged links; second link means having a pivotal connection at one end to said second bracket means and a pivotal connection at the other end to said third bracket means; and action integrating link means including a plurality of links serially arranged and providing a link connection between said first and second link means, one of the links of said third link means having pivotal connections with each of two links included in said first link means for integrating the action between said first and second link means when said first bracket means is moved about its pivotal connection with second bracket means, said third bracket means thereby being caused to move angularly about a virtual hinge with respect to one of the other bracket means, said third bracket means being linked to said first and second bracket means solely by said first and second link means.

5. Mechanism for the cooperative movable relationship between first, second, and third members, comprising: first bracket means securable to said first member; second bracket means securable to said second member; means providing a pivotal connection between said first and second bracket means; third bracket means securable to said third member; first link means having a pivotal connection at one end to said first bracket means and a pivotal connectionat the other end to said third bracket means; second link means having a pivotal connection at one end to said second bracket means and a pivotal connection at the other end to said third bracket means; and action integrating link means including a plurality of links serially arranged and providing a link connection between said rst and second link means, one of the links of said third link means having a pivotal connection with one of said first and second bracket means for integrating the action between said first and second link means when said first bracket means is moved about its pivotal connection with said second bracket means, said third bracket means thereby being caused to move angularly about a virtual hinge `with respect to one of the other bracket means, said third bracket means being linked to said '7 i first and second bracket means solely by said first and second link means.

6. Mechanism for the cooperative movable relationship between first, second, and third members, comprising: first bracket means securable to said first member; second bracket means securable to said second member;

eans providing a pivotal connection between said iirst and second bracket means; third bracket means securable to said third member; first link means having a pivotal connection at one end to said iirst bracket means and a pivotal connection at the other end to said third bracket means, said first link means including a plurality of serially arranged links; second link means having a pivotal connection at one end to said second bracket means and a pivotal connection at the other end to said third bracket means; and action integrating link means including a plurality of links serially arranged and providing a link connection between said first and second link means, one of the links of said integrating link means having pivotal connections with each of two links included in said iirst link means and a pivotal connection with said second bracket means for integrating the action between said iirst and second link means when said first bracket means is moved about its pivotal connection with said second bracket means, said third bracket means thereby being caused to move angularly about a virtual hinge with respect to said iirst bracket means, said third bracket means being linked to said first and second bracket means solely oy said first and second link means.

7. An article of furniture including frame and base members and a movable front panel member normally disposed generally vertically and adjacent a normally horizontally disposed seat member portion of said frame member, comprising: means providing a pivotal connection between said base and frame members; first link means providing a link connection between said frame and panel members; second link means providing a link connection between said base and panel members; and third link means including a plurality of links serially arranged and providing a link connection between said first and second link means for integrating the action therebetween when said frame member is moved about said pivotal connection, one of said link means comprising at least three serially connected links, said panel member being4 movable angularly in a true arc of a circle about a virtual hinge, the center of the circle and the hinge axis being Vil formed approximately at an intersection line of the surface planes of said panel and seat members.

8. In an adjustable article of furniture including a frame; a base; a movable upholstered front panel normally disposed generally vertically and adjacent a normally horizontally disposed upholstered seat of said frame, and in which the front upholstered surface on said panel and the upper upholstered surface on said seat intersect in a substantially straight line, said panel and said seat having members supporting said upholstery; means to permit the rearward pivoting of said frame relative to said base; and means simultaneously with said last pivoting to pivot said panel relative to said seat in a true are of a circle about a virtual hinge pivot line and center of said circle formed along a substantially straight line of intersection ot the front upholstered surface of said panel and the upper upholstered surface of said seat, said supporting members of said panel and seat being spaced from said hinge line by said upholstery.

9. In an adjustable article of upholstered furniture including a frame; a base; a movable front panel normally disposed generally vertically and adjacent a normally horizontally disposed seat of said frame, and in which the front portion of said panel and the upper portion of said seat are upholstered; the front upholstered surface of said panel portion and the upper upholstered surface of said seat portion intersecting in a substantially straight line; means to permit the rearward pivoting of said frame relative to said base; and means simultaneously with said last pivoting to pivot said panel relative to said seat in a true arc of a circle about a virtual hinge pivot line and center of said circle formed along a substantially straight line of intersection of the front upholstered surface of said panel portion and the upper upholstered surface of said seat portion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 607,293 Streit July 12, 1898 942,817 Flindell Dec. 7, 1909 2,672,919 Luckhardt Mar. 23, 1954 2,693,845 Hoffman Nov. 9, 1954 2,870,822 Luckhardt Jan. 27, 1959 2,951,528 Maurer Sept. 6, 1960 2,958,372 Lorenz Nov. 1, 1960 

